Tamil Nadu’s Kalaiselvi became the first woman DG
Senior scientist Nallatambi Kalaiselvi has become the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a consortium of 38 research institutes across the country. She will replace Shekhar Mande, who retired in April.
A Personnel Ministry order said on Saturday that Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, was given additional charge of CSIR after Mande’s retirement. Known for her work in the field of lithium-ion batteries, Kalaiselvi is currently the Director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. She will also look after the work of Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. His appointment will be for a period of two years from the date of joining the post.
Who is Nadu’s Kalaiselvi
Hailing from Ambasamudram, a small town in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, Kalaiselvi did her schooling in Tamil medium. Kalaselvi’s more than 25 years of research work focused primarily on electrochemical power systems and in particular the development of electrode materials and energy storage device assembly. He also made a significant contribution to the National Mission for Electric Mobility. He holds more than 125 research papers and six patents.
